I have a ILS question

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missykay

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Hi everyone, My question ( im having a blonde moment here) is on K+. a pt that has an IV with 20 mEq in 1000cc and i can not run K+ faster than 10 mEq per hour how do you do the calculations again for the different size tubing? Sorry going crazy here and it just totally went out the window. If someone would'nt mind telling me again i would be greatful. :unsure:
 
Do you mean for different size drop sets?
 
yes, say your using a 15gtt and have to go to a 60gtt.
 
if im remembering right, The calculations are going to be by 500ccs. Right?
 
No more than 500 cc per hour. For a 10 drop set, that's no more than 83 drops per minute. For a 15 drop set, that's no more than 125 drops per minutes. And for a 60 drop set, that's no more than 500 drops per minute.

20 mEq in 1000 cc would be 10 mEq in 500cc which is your max per hour, so that's the max infusion for the hour.

500cc X 10 gtts = 5000 / 60 minutes = 83.33 gtts/minute.

Shane
NREMT-P
 
Oh thank u so very much. I think that has been the best way anyone has ever explained that to me. I cant believe how easy it is to forget some of this stuff. Again Thank You!
 
medic001918 said:
No more than 500 cc per hour. For a 10 drop set, that's no more than 83 drops per minute. For a 15 drop set, that's no more than 125 drops per minutes. And for a 60 drop set, that's no more than 500 drops per minute.
Click to expand...

Or-

Going from a 10 drop set to a 60- 10 x 6 or 83 x 6= 498
going from a 15 drop set to a 60- 15 x 4 or 125 x 4= 500
 
It is actually quite easy, the pump tubing usually only comes in one size, most of the time it is a micro-drip set. If numerous sizes are available, then the pump will have settings for each size....................

Just program the pump to run at 10 mEq / hour.............

Trying to actually calculate gravity drip rates for Potassium is not needed because Potassium should ALWAYS be infused with an IV pump..............
 
True. And here's my philosophy.

K+ is not considered a prehospital postcode drug for IV infusion. Therefore, you should have enough time to go get a pump.
 
Basics in Indianapolis are allowed to transport potassium up to 20 mEq. The only problem with using a pump is that hospitals don't like to give out their pumps, especially to basics. They usually just have us drip it to the destination.

-Kat
 
katgrl2003 said:
Basics in Indianapolis are allowed to transport potassium up to 20 mEq. The only problem with using a pump is that hospitals don't like to give out their pumps, especially to basics. They usually just have us drip it to the destination.-Kat
Click to expand...

While I have no doubt that Flight-LP is correct, you probably don't want to go into a hospital as a basic and tell them that someone on the Internet told you that they should give you a pump because K+ should always be infused with one. Generally doesn't go over too well, even though you're right. :P
 
Actually, most of the patients we pick up that have K+ running aren't on a pump to begin with. The hospitals drip it so we don't have to deal with detaching a pump, figuring a drip rate, etc. I always double check the drip rate, as does my medic partner.

-Kat
 
Tincanfireman said:
While I have no doubt that Flight-LP is correct, you probably don't want to go into a hospital as a basic and tell them that someone on the Internet told you that they should give you a pump because K+ should always be infused with one. Generally doesn't go over too well, even though you're right. :P
Click to expand...

A basic shouldn't be picking up anyone on a Potassium infusion period. These pts. require continuous monitoring and potential interventions that are beyond a basic's scope of practice and for most, their comprehension level.............

These are Paramedic patients, end of story.....................
 
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What is the dose of pottasium for lethal injection anyways?

Do they use a pump? or is it just "eyeballed"?
 
It is usually 100 mEq. It is given IV push as one single dose and repeated as needed.
 
katgrl2003 said:
Basics in Indianapolis are allowed to transport potassium up to 20 mEq. The only problem with using a pump is that hospitals don't like to give out their pumps, especially to basics. They usually just have us drip it to the destination.

-Kat
Click to expand...


I would NEVER administer K+ per gravity. That is if you do not want to be charged with negligence & like to keep your license.. Potassium is a pump medication, even at 20 mEq, push could have harmful side effects, as well pharmaceutical company describes potassium needs to be given per pump.


R/r 911
 
100 mEq, could be pretty easy to get that with a gravity feed.

We don't have the final solution here, many would welcome it for certain individuals. Like a buddy of mine says, the difference between Ted Bundy and Clifford Olsen (child serial killer from BC) is Ted will never do it again. ( a few years back Olsen was found with a hand cuff key sequestered in his lower GI.

Personally I think with the need for organs, harvesting would be the way to go for these lost souls....
 
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